The Eastern yellow-billed hornbill, also known as the northern yellow-billed hornbill, is a species of hornbill in the family Bucerotidae. It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. It resembles the southern yellow-billed hornbill, but has blackish skin around the eyes.
Region
Horn of Africa and East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Horn of Africa through parts of East Africa, including dry savannas, thornbush, and open acacia woodlands. It favors semi-arid to arid lowlands with scattered trees and shrubs. The species is common in lightly wooded plains, riverine edges, and bushland mosaics, and it readily uses tree cavities for nesting. It tolerates human-modified habitats and may be seen near farms, tracks, and settlements.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This hornbill is noted for its bright yellow bill and the dark, blackish skin around its eyes, which helps distinguish it from the southern yellow-billed hornbill. Like other hornbills, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity during nesting, leaving a narrow slit through which the male passes food. It often forages on the ground and adapts well to open, semi-arid landscapes, sometimes frequenting villages and roadsides.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and sometimes joins mixed-species foraging parties. Monogamous pairs nest in tree cavities; the female seals the entrance with mud and droppings, leaving a slit for food delivery. The male provisions the female and chicks until the female breaks out and helps feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes clucking, cackling, and piping notes, often delivered in series. Calls carry well across open habitats and are most frequent at dawn and in social interactions.
